India, Feb. 23 -- The Bombay High Court on Monday has granted bail to a 34-year-old man who spent over eight years in jail after being arrested for allegedly eloping with and raping his minor girlfriend, citing prolonged incarceration.

Justice Neela Gokhale ordered his release on a personal bond of Rs.5,000 with one or two sureties of the same amount, noting the long period of custody and slow pace of trial. The court also observed, "Notwithstanding that the victim was 17 years of age at the time of the said offence, it appears that both the applicant and the victim were in a consensual relationship in their adolescence."

The case was registered by Samta Nagar police on September 13, 2017 under Sections 363 (kidnapping), 366 (abduction)...